Hansen – Managing Safely 1 Assessing Display Screen Equipment Mark Mallen Health And Safety Manager Fenlock-Hansen Ltd

Hansen – Managing Safely 2 Introduction DSE? Why am I here?

Hansen – Managing Safely 3 Course Content What is display screen equipment Legal framework Hazards Potential health effects

Hansen – Managing Safely 4 Course Content Common misconceptions Users Those at risk Conducting an assessment Follow-up

Hansen – Managing Safely 5 What Is Display Screen Equipment ? Known as VDUs – Computer terminals – Liquid crystal displays – Microfiche – Process control screens – Not televisions

Hansen – Managing Safely 6 Legal Framework The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 – the ‘VDU Regs’ – Part of the ‘six pack’ – Aim of preventing ill health – Imposes legal responsibilities and duties

Hansen – Managing Safely 7 Legal Framework Employers’ Duties – Assess risks – Provide a healthy workplace – Ensure workstations comply – Eyesight tests – Provide information, instruction and training

Hansen – Managing Safely 8 Legal Framework Employees’ duties – Follow the rules – Work safely – Report problems

Hansen – Managing Safely 9 Hazards and Potential Health Effects Hazards – Poor posture – Working for too long – Poor working environment – Poor management of workload

Hansen – Managing Safely 10 Hazards and Potential Health Effects Potential health effects – Visual discomfort – Upper limb disorders - RSI – Aches and pains – Stress

Hansen – Managing Safely 11 Vision Headaches Visual fatigue – Sore – Irritated – Tired

Hansen – Managing Safely 12 Vision From – Working too long – Dry environment – Glare – Existing conditions

Hansen – Managing Safely 13 Vision Can aggravate existing conditions Eyesight gradually worsens with age

Hansen – Managing Safely 14 Vision Contact lenses – A dry atmosphere – Blinking less

Hansen – Managing Safely 15 Vision Use the Hansen Eyecare scheme Report problems to your supervisor Seek medical advice

Hansen – Managing Safely 16 Hansen’s Eye Care Scheme Consistent with the DSE regulations Eyesight tests A pair of basic spectacles for DSE work Test may identify the cause of problems

Hansen – Managing Safely 17 Hansen’s Eyecare Scheme Follow the optician's advice Wear any spectacles provided Tests before starting DSE activities

Hansen – Managing Safely 18 Musculoskeletal General fatigue, aches and pains – Workstation problem – May indicate other problems

Hansen – Managing Safely 19 Musculoskeletal Many musculoskeletal disorders start with – Numbness – Tingling – Aching hands, fingers or limbs

Hansen – Managing Safely 20 Musculoskeletal May be aggravated by work Or manifest at work Backache may indicate poor posture

Hansen – Managing Safely 21 Musculoskeletal Long term Problems may get worse Don’t leave things

Hansen – Managing Safely 22 Musculoskeletal If you suffer discomfort, report it to your supervisor or manager Seek medical advice as soon as possible

Hansen – Managing Safely 23 Common Misconceptions Do not give off harmful radiation Do not cause complications during pregnancy –Source: national radiological protection board Unlikely to induce epileptic seizures or fits Do not damage eyesight

Hansen – Managing Safely 24 Common Misconceptions Any concerns Seek medical advice

Hansen – Managing Safely 25 Users and Those at Risk Defined as – No alternative – Need significant training or particular skills – Use the display screen for continuous spells of an hour or more

Hansen – Managing Safely 26 Users – Use the equipment most days – Have to input data quickly or accurately – Need high levels of concentration or undertake critical work

Hansen – Managing Safely 27 Users Hansen define regular users as – Either at least one-hour continuous work or – Two and a half hours accumulatively Risk low if users follow safe working procedures

Hansen – Managing Safely 28 High Risk Users Working all day with a screen Inputting Word processing A computer aided design (CAD) operator

Hansen – Managing Safely 29 Moderate Risk Users A secretary or personal assistant

Hansen – Managing Safely 30 Low Risk Users A salesperson that inputs daily sales figures Somebody that does not use a DSE every day

Hansen – Managing Safely 31 Not Users A senior manager who uses the screen for brief enquiries

Hansen – Managing Safely 32 Not Users A receptionist, who occasionally, interrogates the screen for information

Hansen – Managing Safely 33 Conducting an Assessment Risk assessment – Each workstation – Trained assessors – A standard, company pro-forma – Reflecting an ‘ergonomic approach’

Hansen – Managing Safely 34 Ergonomics Adapting the task to fit the worker Adjust and use the equipment to individuals’ needs

Hansen – Managing Safely 35 Ergonomics User position Equipment Screen position Environment Software

Hansen – Managing Safely 36 Conducting an Assessment Risk assessments may recommend – Wrist supports – Footrests – Other ergonomic measures – Changes to the workplace

Hansen – Managing Safely 37 The Pro Forma Fill in information at top of assessment record Read the question in ‘risk factors’, if ‘yes’, assessment complete

Hansen – Managing Safely 38 The Pro Forma To satisfy the regulations, a ‘yes’ is required for questions in the ‘equipment factors’ section If ‘no’ action is required

Hansen – Managing Safely 39 The Pro Forma If ‘no’, look in ‘help’ section Try the solution If it does not work, further action may be required If further action is required – A purchase, put solution in ‘further action’ column

Hansen – Managing Safely 40 The Pro Forma If ‘no’, further action will be required Enter action to be taken in ‘further actions’ column Tick when action complete If in doubt, ask

Hansen – Managing Safely 41 Section 1 - the Display Screen Positioned to suit the lighting and work Glare can be irritating Cause eye fatigue Force users to adopt awkward postures Move screen to eliminate reflections

Hansen – Managing Safely 42 Section 1 - the Display Screen Glare filters – Can reduce reflections – Affects quality – To be used as a last resort

Hansen – Managing Safely 43 Section 2 - Keyboard Comfort Positioning is important to overall comfort Ideally, keyboard in front of the user Gap, 50mm to 100mm To rest the heels of the hands

Hansen – Managing Safely 44 Section 2 - Keyboard Comfort Move the chair Fingers to rest comfortably on the keys Wrists should not flex up or down Adjust the angle of slope Keyboard glare-free

Hansen – Managing Safely 45 Section 3 - Furniture ‘Fit’ for Purpose Section 3 - Furniture ‘Fit’ for Purpose Desk space Things should be within easy reach Stretching or reaching can cause stress and strain

Hansen – Managing Safely 46 Section 3 - Furniture ‘Fit’ for Purpose Section 3 - Furniture ‘Fit’ for Purpose Ideal position – Display screen and keyboard directly in front of the user Some tasks require more space in front of the user

Hansen – Managing Safely 47 Section 3 - Furniture ‘Fit’ for Purpose Section 3 - Furniture ‘Fit’ for Purpose Chair A properly adjusted chair – Important to short term comfort – Long-term well being Adjustable for height and back support

Hansen – Managing Safely 48 Section 3 - Furniture ‘Fit’ for Purpose Section 3 - Furniture ‘Fit’ for Purpose Poor posture can cause backache Pain in the neck and shoulders Working for long periods in an awkward position can cause fatigue in the short term Strain on the joints and muscles can cause harm in the long term

Hansen – Managing Safely 49 Section 3 - Furniture ‘Fit’ for Purpose Section 3 - Furniture ‘Fit’ for Purpose Personal comfort Eyes should be level with the top of the VDU casing Forearms horizontal with the keyboard

Hansen – Managing Safely 50 Section 3 - Furniture ‘Fit’ for Purpose Section 3 - Furniture ‘Fit’ for Purpose Armrests should not interfere with keying Still allow the chair under the desk – Not a legal requirement The space under the desk should be free from clutter, to allow ‘fidgeting’

Hansen – Managing Safely 51 Section 3 - Furniture ‘Fit’ for Purpose Section 3 - Furniture ‘Fit’ for Purpose Feet flat on the floor or footrest, weight on buttocks, not thighs The back pad or support should be adjustable – To fit the curve of the spine

Hansen – Managing Safely 52 Section 4 – the Working Environment Space Is there enough room for the user(s) and the workstation(s) Keep cables under control to prevent tripping hazards

Hansen – Managing Safely 53 Section 4 – the Working Environment Ambience – The temperature should be within reasonable limits – Noise should be within acceptable limits – The lighting should be at a comfortable level

Hansen – Managing Safely 54 Section 4 – the Working Environment The humidity at an acceptable level – Too dry, sore eyes Reasonably well ventilated

Hansen – Managing Safely 55 Section 4 – the Working Environment Will additional equipment affect the working environment – Noise – Heat – Space

Hansen – Managing Safely 56 Section 5 – the Software Can the operator use the software they are expected to use Is training required

Hansen – Managing Safely 57 Conducting an Assessment Has everything been covered?

Hansen – Managing Safely 58 Conducting An Assessment If yes to any question, answer concerns on hints

Hansen – Managing Safely 59 Practical Assessment Using the pro forma, conduct an assessment in the workplace Debrief on assessment

Hansen – Managing Safely 60 Follow Up If action is required, ensure that it is completed. – Bring completed assessments to health and safety manager. – A Costed action plan shall be drawn up. – Discussed with responsible manager.

Hansen – Managing Safely 61 Follow Up – Approved, or not – Approved actions implemented – Once complete, assessment sheets shall be updated – Returned to responsible manager and filed – Changes will require additional assessments

Hansen – Managing Safely 62 Assessing Display Screen Equipment Thanks for listening –Any questions Be Safe